Semuc Champey in Guatemala is a special place. Limestone rock pools cascade through a canyon in the middle of the Guatemalan jungle, surrounded by lush green. Semuc is in the middle of nowhere, at least an 8-hour journey from Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala City, or Flores, so it isn’t possible to visit Semuc Champey on a day trip. You need to stay at least two nights here, to allow for a day’s travel, sleep overnight at Semuc Champey or nearby Lanquín,…
Guatemala is a special place. Torn apart by civil war from 1960 to 1996, Guatemala is slowly recovering, and is now becoming a must-visit destination in Central America. Backpacking in Guatemala will reward you with incredible scenery and natural wonders, from volcanoes to limestone pools and huge lakes, strong indigenous cultures and colourful clothes, delicious food and a warm welcome. I have brought together all my Guatemala travel tips for you in this epic backpacking Guatemala guide, including a handy…
I met Roman in Antigua Guatemala, when I was there last year. I had asked him to write this article about the Acatenango hike before the fatal eruption of Fuego volcano in Guatemala on June 3rd 2018. I thought long and hard about whether to publish it at all after so many people lost their lives, homes and loved ones. However, tours to do the Acatenango Volcano hike are running again, so hiking Acatenango responsibly and donating some of your…
Why visit Antigua Guatemala? The jewel in Guatemala’s colonial crown, Antigua manages to combine indigenous Mayan culture with colourful architecture, magnificent crumbling churches, fiery volcanoes and a steady stream of tourists & expats in one gloriously beautiful package. However, with so much on offer it can be hard to know what to do in Antigua Guatemala, so I’ve picked out the best things to do in Antigua Guatemala for you. I’ve also included sections on where to stay in Antigua, the…
Antigua Guatemala is a gorgeous town, filled with beautiful buildings and indigenous culture, and surrounded by volcanoes. Agua Volcano towers about the town, Fuego Volcano spews smoke and lava, Acatenango is a tough hike with glorious views of Fuego, and Pacaya Volcano is still live but a gentler hike. I was in two minds about whether to hike the Acatenango volcano in Antigua, as I have never been a lover of hiking, but so often the destination makes the hike…
Lake Atitlán is one of the most beautiful lakes I have ever seen. Blue water, volcanoes, and indigenous Maya villages dotted around the lake make for a peaceful and fascinating stay! Just two and a half hours from Antigua, Lake Atitlán is a highlight of any trip to Guatemala, alongside Antigua, Tikal, and Semuc Champey. About Lake Atitlán Lake Atitlán was formed inside an enormous volcano, which erupted 84,000 years ago. The lake is now overlooked by three smaller volcanoes…
Did you know there are hobbits in Guatemala? Well, hobbit holes at least, in Hobbitenango. Rather like Hobbiton in The Shire of New Zealand, Lord of the Rings fans can now visit Middle Earth in Guatemala. Set high in the hills above Antigua, Hobbitenango is an eco-friendly hotel and restaurant with spectacular views of the volcanoes across the valley. I love hunting out unique accommodations where I travel, from glamping in Bolivia to hammocks in Tikal, so I was thrilled…
I am attempting to take part in a cooking class in every country I visit. I have so far only managed a cooking class in Mexico City, Barcelona and La Paz in Bolivia, so I wanted to do a cooking class in Antigua Guatemala. I had no idea what Guatemalan food was like. Tortillas, of course, and frijoles (black beans) and plantains. But aside from that, I had no clue, so I wanted to learn more about typical Guatemalan dishes….
Tikal Guatemala is the most impressive Mayan ruins I have seen so far, compared to others like Lamanai in Belize for example. Tikal National Park comes close to Machu Picchu in grandeur, although sadly there is no viewpoint to overlook Tikal, partly because it is surrounded by jungle! This vast Maya site is actually closer to Belize City than most popular destinations in Guatemala, like Antigua and Lake Atitlan, so it makes sense to visit Tikal on your way to…
Semuc Champey Guatemala is one of the highlights of most people’s visit to Central America. Beautiful turquoise pools amid the lush Guatemalan jungle certainly is a sight to behold. However, as a visit to Semuc Champey requires a 2-day detour between Antigua and Flores in northern Guatemala, if you are on a tight schedule think very carefully if you have time to fit in this little slice of paradise. Once you have decided to go, the next decision is whether…